This Month’s Worship in Churches Uniting in Central Sutton

Sunday 3 September

9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am SBC Morning Worship Revd Mike Dales September 2017 Trinity Morning Worship Communion Dear Readers, Revd Dr David Dickinson St N Morning Worship Fifty years ago a song by Cavaliere and Brigati Holy Communion spent a few weeks near the top of the American hit parade. Five years later David Cassidy took the 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service song to number 1 in both America and Britain. The lyrics of the song’s chorus are:-

How can I be sure? Sunday 10 September In a world that's constantly changing, 9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) How can I be sure? . . . I'll be sure with you. 10.30am SBC Morning Worship Communion Revd Mike Dales The phrase, “constantly changing”, has played on Trinity Morning Worship my mind lately. Change is the one guaranteed Revd Dr David Dickinson constant in life. I had cause to reflect at a recent St N Morning Worship golden wedding anniversary celebration that even what we think is immune to change, such as the 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service institution of marriage, is the subject of persistent change. Everything changes.

Sometimes this results in people seeking refuge in Sunday 17 September the church as a place that never changes. But they 9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) are mistaken: the Church does change! Often subtly 10.30am SBC Morning Worship and imperceptibly, but, occasionally, suddenly and irrevocably. Those of us who belong to a Reformed Trinity Morning Worship tradition might describe this as being reformed and Revd Dr David Dickinson always reforming. Early next month, when we next St N Morning Worship gather for united morning worship we will celebrate Holy Communion the great reform that took place in the sixteenth 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service century, giving birth to our Protestant traditions, when we mark the quincentenary of Martin Luther’s initial protest against the Catholic Church.

Sunday 24 September Working in the church I cannot help but remember T S Eliot’s poem entitled ‘The Hippopotamus’ 9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) comparing that creature with the Church. Both are 10.30am SBC Morning Worship Communion weighty things, Eliot says, one actually heavy, the Revd Mike Dales other full of theological substance. Although the Trinity Morning Worship Communion hippo looks lazy, wallowing in mud all day, at the Revd Dr David Dickinson end of the poem it is the hippo, not the Church, that St N Morning Worship ascends to heaven. The poem, full of comic images, Holy Communion is a sophisticated allegation that the Church is ripe 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service for reform. And, yes, it always will be. It is slow and lumbering. Turning it, changing it, is as arduous as turning an ocean liner.

Yet, I am conscious that change is afoot in our own churches, so the assurance I want to offer in this month’s pastoral letter is that, though the world is constantly changing (and that may trouble us), we for help or information please contact can be sure with God.

Revd Mike Dales (Sutton Baptist) 07952 231723 [email protected] Revd Dr David Dickinson

Revd Dr David Dickinson (Trinity) Office: 020 8643 6884 Home: 020 8643 0963 [email protected]

Revd Justine Middlemiss (St Nicholas) 020 8642 3499 [email protected] News from the Carolyn Graham recommends…… Churches

In Memoriam Chatley Semaphore Tower near Wisley in Surrey has an interesting history dating back to the Revd John Joseph Napoleonic Wars and is just one of the places we John Joseph died on 27 June aged 67 and over have visited as part of the monthly outings organised thirty current and past members of Trinity attended by Deborah and John Wroe his Thanksgiving Service at Redhill URC on 18 July. John was URC Minister at Trinity from 1981- The outings are open to all and cover a range of 1992 and was committed to the ecumenical vision interests eg bluebells at Gatton Park; the history of that was then known as The Four Churches. He Park house and mills, the museum of preached a social gospel and was always involved London etc. Each is well planned and entrance is in the wider community, serving in many hospital usually free or at a minimal cost so the only outlay is chaplaincies and as Mayor’s Chaplain. John had a travel unless you have a freedom pass!. If you have wonderful rapport with people of all ages, and stood considered joining us but there hasn’t been anything alongside them with kindness, understanding and that has interested you let Deborah and John know warm humour. and they will investigate.

Pamela Ford Forthcoming visits are advertised in Unite! and via your local Church notice sheets so why not give it a Pam Forde was a long standing member of try. The outings are a great way to get to know the 9.00am congregation at St Nicholas and a members of other fellowships and learn a little more member of the World Community of Christian about your local area. Meditation. She led many silent meditation and spirituality groups and forged strong ecumenical The next outing is on: Sunday 3 September to the and interfaith friendships. Museum of the Order of St John and although this is short notice (but it has been publicised in our churches) you could join the group after morning St Nicholas Church service at the back of Trinity. is a Grade II listed parish church. It was built For more information contact John and Deborah between 1862 and 1864 Wroe ([email protected] or 020 8642 in the Gothic style with 9064). dressed flint and stone dressings. It was designed by the architect, Edwin Nash. The present structure John Dawson’s Commissioning Service incorporates a medieval piscina and monuments All are invited to a Sutton Methodist Circuit Service from the previous church on the site. on Sunday 10 September at 5.45pm at The Churchyard also contains the Gibson Methodist Church. John Dawson, a Methodist Local Mausoleum which is itself a listed monument. The Preacher and member at Trinity will be church will host an exhibition that explains some of commissioned as Lay Pastor at Cheam Methodist the history, traditions and legends that surround the Church. We pray for John as he begins his new tomb. ministry.

It will be open as part of Heritage Open Days on: Coffee and Craft Thursday 7 September 9.00 -15.00 Saturday 9 September 9.00 -13.00 Have you tried Coffee and Sunday 10 September 9.00 -13.00 Craft? The next meeting will take place at 10.00am in the Ride and Stride Saturday 9 September Terrace Room at Trinity on – Friday 15 September and will The annual Ride and Stride for Surrey Churches be an introduction to felt work Preservation Trust will be taking place on Saturday and new members of the 9 September. The object is to raise funds to be used group will receive a warm for the maintenance of our valued places of welcome. Come and hone old skills and learn new Christian worship. This event also ties in with the ones! Contact Deborah Wroe for more information: Heritage Open Weekend so many buildings will be 020 8642 9064 deb.wroe @btinternet.com open to the public that are not usually so. Ride and Stride is a great way to visit some of these sites; Profiles raise funds for a worthwhile cause (both St Nicholas and Trinity have benefitted from grants in the past) This month we are profiling two young women who whilst improving your own physical, spiritual and have started new careers. The editor of Unite! Olwen mental wellbeing. Edwards ([email protected] 020 8643 There will be an all day ride available from Nonsuch 2525) would love to hear about other young people Park along with shorter rides. Please contact within the CUCS community who have a story to tell, Carolyn Graham (SBC) on 0208 642 3584 if you are who have been involved in an interesting project or interested in joining one of the rides or view the are making a difference in their church, school, local website: www.rideandstrideuk.org area. Please get in touch!

Regular Events Devotions All members of CUCS are warmly Psalm 23 an adaptation welcomed at these activities

The Lord is my Friend, ever by my side. He is my Protector, Teacher and Guide. He gives, not all I want, but all I need Christian Meditation Groups are not meeting To faithfully follow him in word and deed. at the moment.

He offers rest, refreshment and renewal- Saturday Prayer Meeting (Ist and 3rd Saturdays) Physical, mental. emotional and spiritual. 10.00am - 11.00am at Sutton Baptist Church.

He skilfully guides through confusion and strife, He gives meaning, purpose and direction to my life St Nicholas’ Mothers’ Union usually meets on the first Wednesday of the month in St In tough times, he protects and takes away my fears, Nicholas Community Hall. All are welcome. In rough times he comforts and wipes away my tears. Contact: Janet Little 8715 6843 He’s quick to discipline when I go astray, But he’s always with me, he will never go away. Women in Touch (WIT) meets fortnightly on a Monday at 10.30am at different venues, to When others condemn or mean things are said, enjoy a variety of activities including coffee, He’s the Defender who comes to my aid. films and outings. It is open to women of any I know he has called me and set me apart age. For further details of the programme To follow the purposes of his own heart. contact: Carole Adams 07711879645 or see: www.trinitychurchsutton.org.uk Together for ever– that’s how we’ll be My Lord and me. Trinity Toddler Group meets on Tuesdays in term time in Trinity Hall, 9.00-11.00am. by Tanya Ferdinandusz Contact: Sheila Booth 8715 0514 Submitted by a reader of Unite! Bunker, the youth club for CUCS, meets in Trinity Hall on Sunday evenings in term time from 6.30-8.00pm for young people at senior Come and sing with school. A chance to get to know other young people in CUCS and have fun together. Trinity Festival Choir! Contact Jane Oliver: 01883 346261.

Badminton Club meets 7.45-10.00pm every Over the last few years Trinity Festival Choir has Monday in Trinity Hall. attracted increasingly large audiences particularly for its performances on Palm Sunday and Sutton Churches Tennis Club can be found Remembrance Sunday. It gives me great pleasure between 99 and 101 Gander Green Lane, to invite you to participate in a performance Sutton. All ages and abilities are welcome. See of Philip Ledger's Requiem Thanksgiving for Life our website at www.clubtennis.co.uk

at Trinity Church, Sutton on Remembrance Coffee and Craft meets in the Oasis at Sunday, 12th November at 6.30pm. The first rehearsal will be on Thursday 14 September 8.00- Trinity, 10.00-11.30am usually on the third 9.00pm in the Parlour at Trinity. Friday of the month. Meet with others and work on your knitting, sewing, paper craft or other Philip Ledger is known by many for his project. Beginners welcomed! arrangements of Christmas Carols and also as David Willcocks' successor as Director of Music at Contact: Deborah Wroe: 8642 9064, King's College, Cambridge. His Requiem was written in response to a commission from a choir in

Delaware in 2007, and received its first UK CUCS is Sutton Baptist Church, St Nicholas performance in King's College on Remembrance Sunday in the same year. It's full of distinctive and Trinity URC/Methodist who are and lyrical choral writing and is very accessible for Churches Uniting in Central Sutton, and who singers and audience alike. regularly meet together for prayer, worship and shared activities. I'm hoping to organise a small chamber-sized ensemble for the occasion, including flute and harp, as well as the organ and the programme will include short anthems such as Panis Angelicus and Oasis at Trinity Church is Rutter's The Lord is my Shepherd. open Monday to Friday from We welcome new choir members and offer support 10am to 2pm for refreshments, if you are not an experienced choral singer. light lunches and a chance to

chat. Come and join us! Stephen Haylett

Concert for Sutton Cruse Bereavement Support

Come to an evening of light music and help to raise money for our new venture, Sutton Cruse Bereavement Support.

Saturday 7 October at 7pm in Trinity Church

Signature award winning female “a cappella” group Sutton High School Senior Choir young singing duo Milcah and Rinnah

Tickets: £10 (family ticket £25) available in CUCS churches and online at www.trinitychurchsutton.org.uk

Call for emergency help and meet……… Olivia Chappell and Donna Lang

This has been a summer when the emergency services have never been far from the headlines and so Unite! Is profiling two young women from our CUCS community who have recently begun new careers. Olivia Chappell has just started training to be a Paramedic and Donna Lang has joined the Force. Both have grown up at Trinity and Livvy is a leader at Bunker, our Sunday evening youth group and also runs a Rangers group. Donna has previously worked at Ryelands, a Methodist Home for the Aged, sings every week with Trinity Choir and has also been a member of Trinity Festival Choir singing some of the main choral repertoire.

Livvy says…...Following a mentoring phase which ended in mid August when I was part of a three person crew, learning what it is like to actually be on the road. I am now going out as a normal member of crew but still considered to be learning until this time next year. I will be having to sign off a portfolio of evidence that I have done certain procedures in that time.

The main reasons I want to do it is to be able to help but also to be part of a growing and changing profession that is still in its infancy - paramedic” has only been a protected title since 2001. There is so much science left to learn which is part of what attracted me - something that will keep challenging me scientifically and personally.

One of my worries is that I will do something that could impact negatively on someone and I also have concerns about safety but we have lots of personal protective equipment to help us, from toe cap boots to stab vests to helmets. We also have a good relationship with the Police so if we need help they are only a radio call away.

I think one of the main themes that Trinity has is one of looking outwards and helping anyone and everyone possible. From a young age I knew I wanted to help others, be it in a charity or a role like this. Trinity has helped foster that outward looking mind-set - that, and Mum working for the NHS helping others for 40 odd years.

Donna says…...After a very long year of assessments I have finally reached the position of trainee Police Constable. It is certainly not for the faint hearted and requires a lot of hard work and determination. On 31 October 2017, I start my coached patrol in one of the London boroughs where I will then be permanently based. I have already had the honour of meeting the Commissioner herself, so I shall take that as a good omen!

The main reason I want to do this job is that I wish to make a difference and help make the community a safer place for all people. There are a lot of nasty things going on in this world and if I can make a small portion of it a safer place, then that’s a life I feel I could live with. Also, I want to be someone for my nieces and nephew to look up to; you don’t have to be extremely smart and pretty to get somewhere in life, just the best person you can be. The attraction of the job is the unpredictability, you do not know what will happen from one day to the next and that, to me, is very exciting. The only concern I have about being an officer is just “will I be good enough?” I will be meeting people on some of the worst days of their lives and if I can help them feel safe and supported and do the best for them, that will be the only thing I could ask for.

Faith has helped a lot throughout my life, however, there have been times when I have found it hard to keep faith. I always try to remind myself that God knows best and this is what he made us for. Sometimes one door shuts and another one opens, you don’t realise at the time, but then it becomes clearer where you are meant to be. I just hope that I can make those I have lost and those who are still around, proud of me.

Thank you Olivia and Donna for speaking to us and we wish you fulfilment and happiness in your careers.

From the Editor I would be delighted to receive comments and suggestions on the future of Unite!. Contact me by my new email: [email protected] or by phone: 020 8643 2525. Copy date for the October issue is .13 September